Written by Samuel Phineas Upham
Ernest Shackleton was part of an exciting time in the world of exploration. Known as “The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration,” Shackleton was one of many brave men who attempted to cross the frigid arctic tundra in the name of exploration. He was part of Robert Falcon Scott’s “Discovery” expedition, but failed to complete it due to health setbacks.
He was sent home, and vowed to make up for what he perceived to be a personal failure. He made a return to Antarctica in 1907, where he became the leader of the expedition Nimrod. The 97 mile expedition took Shackleton and his team deep into Southern Arctic territory.
Roald Amundsen’s expedition had erased the prize of the South Pole, so Shackleton focused his attention instead on crossing from one side to the other. He made preparations and attempted the expedition in 1914.
But tragedy would strike Shackleton’s group, as the harsh arctic often did. His ship, The Endurance, was caught in a patch of ice and crushed before full preparations could be made to evacuate the crew. The explorers made a daring escape and managed to keep everyone alive.
Shackleton was headed for heroics, but he never let it get to his head. He returned to the Arctic once more in 1921, with the purpose of leading a scientific expedition and survey the land. Unfortunately, he would die of a heart attack before he ever got the chance to leave base camp. Though he died with heavy debt, and his personal life is largely viewed as a mess, Shackleton stands as a shining example of a true leader.
